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UPSC Syllabus 2025, IAS Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF

The syllabus for UPSC Mains examination is more specialized and consists of nine papers, including one essay paper, four General Studies papers, two optional subject papers, and two language papers (both qualifying in nature).

General Studies-I

(Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)

Indian Culture
  • Indian Culture - Salient aspects of
  • Art Forms,
  • Literature(Bhakti) and
  • Architecture from ancient to modern times.(Rockcut)

Modern History(Hand Notes)
  • Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-
  • significant events(Socio-religious reforms),
  • personalities,(Curzon)
  • issues.
  • The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

Post-independence
  • Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country.(Integration of PS)

World History
  • History of the World will include events from 18th century such as
  • Industrial Revolution(American Revolution),
  • World wars,
  • Redrawal of National Boundaries,
  • Colonization,
  • Decolonization,
  • Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

Society
  1. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
  1. Role of Women and Women’s Organization
  1. Population and Associated Issues
  1. Poverty and Developmental issues
  1. Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
  1. Effects of Globalization on Indian society.
  1. Social Empowerment(Women),
  1. Communalism,
  1. Regionalism &
  1. Secularism.
  2. Tribes

Geography
  1. Salient features of World’s Physical Geography.(Mountain)
  1. Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world(Mineral Oil)(including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent);Forest Resources
  1. Factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).(Mining)(IT)(Iron Steel)
  1. Important Geophysical Phenomena such as
  • earthquakes, (Circum pacific zone)
  • Tsunami,
  • Volcanic activity,
  • cyclone etc.,Landslides
  1. Geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
  2. Desertification,ILR,Flood,Solar Energy

 

 

 

General Studies-II

(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

Constitution
  • Indian Constitution—
  • Historical Underpinnings,
  • Evolution,
  • Features,
  • Amendments,
  • Significant Provisions and
  • Basic Structure.
  • Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States.
  • Issues and Challenges Pertaining to the Federal Structure,
  • Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.
  • Separation of Powers between various organs Dispute Redressal Mechanisms and Institutions.
  • Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries.
  • Parliament and State Legislatures—
  • Structure,
  • Functioning,
  • Conduct of Business,
  • Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.

 
  • Structure, Organization and Functioning of the Executive and the —Ministries and Departments of the Government;
  • Pressure Groups and Formal/Informal Associations and their Role in the Polity.
  • Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
  • Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
  • Statutory, Regulatory and various. Quasi-judicial Bodies.

 

Governance
  1. Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
  1. Development Processes and the Development Industry — the Role of NGO’s,SHG’s, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
  1. Important Aspects of Governance,
  1. Transparency and Accountability,
  1. E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential;
  1. Citizens Charters,
  1. Transparency & Accountability and institutional and other measures.
  1. Role of Civil Services in a Democracy.

 

Social Justice
  • for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes;
  • Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
  • Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to
  • Health,
  • Education,
  • Human Resources.
  • Issues relating to Poverty and Hunger.

International Relations
  • India and its Neighborhood- Relations.
  • Bilateral(AFRICA,USA), Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
  • Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests,(USA VS CHINA)
  • Indian Diaspora.
  • Important International Institutions, agencies and fora - their Structure, Mandate.

 

 

 

General Studies-III

(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)

  • Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.
  • Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.
  • Government Budgeting.

Agriculture
  1. Major Crops - Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country,
  1. Different Types of Irrigation and Irrigation Systems;
  1. Storage, Transport and Marketing of Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints;
  1. E-technology in the aid of farmers.
  1. Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices;
  1. Public Distribution System - Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping;
  1. Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security;
  1. Technology Missions;
  1. Economics of Animal-Rearing.
  1. Food Processing and Related Industries in India- Scope’ and Significance, Location, Upstream and Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management.
  1. Land Reforms in India.
  1. Effects of Liberalization on the Economy,
  1. Changes in Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth.

Infrastructure
  • Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
  • Investment Models.

Science Technology
  1. Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life.
  1. Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology.
  1. Awareness in the fields of
  • IT,
  • Space,
  • Computers,
  • Robotics,
  • Nano-technology,
  • Bio-technology and 
  • issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.

 

Environment
  • Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Diasaster Management
  • Disaster and Disaster Management.

Security
  1. Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism.
  1. Role of External State and Non-state Actors in creating challenges to Internal Security.
  1. Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks,
  1. Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges,
  1. Basics of Cyber Security;
  1. Money-Laundering and its prevention.
  1. Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas
  1. Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.
  1. Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.